The letter cites money the state owes the city—and says Detroit’s charter forbids it from entering into agreements with debtors.

State officials called Crittendon’s letter “confusing,” noting city officials must have known these things before entering into the consent agreement. They also denied the state was in default to the city for any reason.

Governor Snyder said Thursday he hoped he whole thing was “a misunderstanding."

“We’re operating in good faith, to say ‘We believe the agreement’s a good agreement, and we’re working hard on that,’ Snyder said. "So we’re just operating as if the agreement’s valid, and I would hope and expect the city to operate in that same spirit.”